Mick Jones and Paul Simonon open up about reforming The Clash

The Clash's Mick Jones and Paul Simonon have said that they would have "squandered" their legacy by reforming the band.

The punk group released six studio albums including 'London Calling', 'Sandinista!' and 'Combat Rock' before their split in 1986, with frontman Joe Strummer passing away 16 years later in 2002.

In a new interview with Billboard, both Jones and Simonon say they they turned down chances to reunite and that most reformations are motivated by financial reasons.

"We had opportunities," said Jones when asked if The Clash would have gotten back together if it weren't for Strummer's death. "That's it, really. It didn't happen. It never seemed right. We didn't want to do it."

Simonon then added: "It's a better story at the end of the day that we didn't get back together. We saved all that time and effort by not reforming. It seems like we would have squandered what we'd achieved by reforming. Why do people get together? Why do bands reform? Oh, they're good mates. Well, that's nice. It's usually because of a financial situation that has to be adhered to. Basically, everyone's broke."

Jones and Simonon are set to present a special radio show on BBC 6 Music on Boxing Day this year. Their two-hour show This Is Radio Clash, which will air between 1pm and 3pm, will see the pair explore their forays into punk, protest, rebellion and infusing reggae, dub, funk, jazz and hip-hop into their sound.